Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-14

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You would like to reduce your working hours in order to study part time.

Write a letter to your boss. In your letter

• explain why you want to reduce your working hours
• say which hours you would like to work
• describe how your part-time studies would benefit your employer

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ....................................,

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Dear Madam,

My name is Janvi Parekh, and I hope you are doing well. I am writing this email to ask if I could reduce my working hours. I believe that making time for study will help me more to gain lots of skill and take accountability.

At the moment, I work full-time, but I would like to change my availability to Monday-Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM. This schedule allows me to attend my evening classes. That way, I can manage both my studies and work too.

I believe my studies will also bring some benefits to the job. As I learn, I will apply my management skills and knowledge, which will help me improve myself and the company too.

I hope you understand my situation and approve my request about reducing hours. I would be happy to discuss this further whenever you have time.

your sincerely,

Janvi Parekh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly explain the reason for the request, specify the desired working hours, and articulate the benefits to the employer. The tone is appropriate for a formal request to a manager. To improve, you could provide more specific details regarding the 'management skills' you intend to learn, as this would make the argument more persuasive and better developed. Overall, the response is well-structured and fulfills the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a closing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which helps the reader follow your argument easily. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'At the moment', 'That way', and 'As I learn' to link your ideas. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate a wider variety of linking words and ensure that the transition between your current situation and the proposed benefits is more seamless. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for this task. Phrases like 'reduce my working hours', 'change my availability', and 'approve my request' are accurate and appropriate for the context. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive and lacks sophistication. For instance, 'lots of skill' is quite informal and imprecise. To improve, aim for more precise collocations and academic or professional terminology. Using more varied and descriptive language would help elevate your score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and your meaning is consistently clear. There are a few minor errors, such as 'your sincerely' (should be 'Yours sincerely') and 'help me more to gain' (which is slightly awkward phrasing). Most of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is generally correct. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate more complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences (e.g., 'If my request were approved, I would be able to...'), and ensure greater precision in your verb patterns.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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